Armenian Gabuzyan (M) & Chinese Ni Shiqun (W) top 14th FISU WUC Chess
GM Hovhannes Gabuzyan of Armenia and WGM Ni Shiqun of China won the men’s and women’s gold medals, respectively, in the 14th FISU World University Chess Championship held at the Khalidiya Palace Raihaan by Rotana in Abu Dhabi.
In the final round, Gabuzyan turned back the English Opening of IM Marko Nenezic of Serbia in 65 moves to finish alone with an impressive 8 points out of 9 rounds. The Armenian is a sophomore at the State University of Physical Culture. GM Vladimir Fedoseev of Russia drew with IM Amirreza Pourramezanali of Iran to tally 7 points for the silver medal. GM Pavel Ponkratov of Russia beat IM Stefan Mazur of Slovakia to finish alone with 6.5 points for the bronze medal. Pourramezanali, Nenezic and GM Samvel Ter-Sahakyan of Armenia finished with 6 points each.
In the women’s division, Ni Shiqun, a first year Economics Student at Shenzhen University, drew with WGM Mitra Hejazipour of Iran to finish in a three way tie with 6.5 points winning the gold by tie break. WIM Ghazal Hakimifard of Iran drew with Alina Bivol of Russia to tally 6.5 and won the silver medal. WIM Anna Warakomska of Poland beat WIM Maria Gevorgyan of Armenia to reach 6.5 and garnered the bronze medal.
Bivol placed fourth with 6 points to complete the three best results for the team award for Russia. Her result combined with those of Fedoseev, a freshman at the Physical Academic University and Ponkratov, who is pursuing his Masters’ degree at the Ural State Mining University in Yekaterinburg, garnered the first place team trophy for Russia. The Armenian team of Gabuzyan, GM Samvel Ter-Sahakyan and Gevorgyan won the runner-up trophy. The Iranian team of Hakimifard, Hejazipour and Pourramezanali won third place.
The Organizing Committee of the 14th World University Chess Championship 2016 in Abu Dhabi staged the event under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development and the President of the Arab University Sports Federation and under the auspices of the University Sports Federation (FISU) and World Chess Federation (FIDE).
The 14th FISU World University Chess Championship was played in two competitions with 48 men from 17 countries and 34 women from 15 countries. The strong field included six Grandmasters, 15 International Masters and 9 FIDE Masters, 5 WGMs, 10 WIMs and 10 WFMs.